Over the past month or so I've walked the dogs most mornings for about 30 minutes and we spend some time in grassy areas, not just pavement, so there is time to sniff and explore. And (knock wood!) it seems to be helping the lab as far as his nighttime behavior. He is either stimulated enough or tired enough that he hasn't been out in the yard barking at nothing at midnight. It means I'm going to bed earlier in order to get up earlier to walk when it's the best temperature of the day, so it's good for me also.

The barking was a fairly recent activity - starting this summer - so it may have simply been a habit he got into, or it may mean his mental faculties are showing their age. The girls have relaxed back into the walking mode, not pulling to try to lead as we walk. We all needed this a lot more than just Zeke.